Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-09-08
GERMAN CATHOLICS.
Business Of Convention in Chicago
-Spanhorst's Statement of It's
Objects.
A Resolution DenunciatOry of Knights
of Labor and PrOhibitionists
Applauded.
Delegate Meitsch Makes a Bitter Attack
on the Lish-A Question of Prin-
oiple.

Oh LQ6 4rlSu - Quo6t1Ou VI I'LL
ciple.
CHICAGO, Sept. 6.-The first business ses-
sion of the German Roman Catholic Central
Union of America was opened yesterday
morning in st. MichaePs Hall with prayer
by Rev. DR.. William Tappert, of Covington,
KY, the leading spirit in the gathering.
There were about 800 delegates present,
and all the available room on the main floor
and in the gallery was occupied by audit
ors. President Spanhorst made an address
of greeting to the delegates, in which he
claimed that the attitude Of the German
Catholics toward other nationalities had
been misrepresented and false reports cir
culated. In his opinion the German Cath
olicS recognized no distinction OF nation
alities. No national questions had ever
came up in their meetings. On the ques-
tions at issue between the Irish and the
German Catholics the Church alone
had authority to decide. He asked the
delegates to use no hard expressions
against other nationalities. The Germans
in America were obliged to preserve the
German language in their schools. On &C
count of that they had been repro ached
with trying to Germanize America. That
charge was unjust, as the Germans were
true followers of the Church and under
stood its teachings. He denied the truth
of the report that he had ever said that
they would insist upon the German Ian
guage in spite of the Bishops. He con-
Guided by congratulating the German
Catholics upon the growth of their socie-
ties and advised that each benevolent
society have a fund to be used for the re-
lief of working men in distress.
After the appointment of committees
George Meitsch, of st. Paul, introduced
resolution of which the following is
translation:
WHEREAS, the so-called Knights of Labor
come forth from day to day with their talk for
the purpose of helping the workingmen to
their rights by unrighteous means and tramp
ling law and order under foot and try to destroy
Scriptural faith therefore be it hereby,
ReSOIUed That we urge all Catholic working
people to keep away from said societies, for ac-
cording to our experience such company is not
advisable for Catholic working people; for
where Prohibitionists, Anarchists and Social
lists assemble to consult about the welfare OF
mankind, there should not be found any Ger
man Catholic worlzingmen. In order to protect
the good name of German Catholic societies
from injury, all societies should be exhorted not
to receive into their midst any knights OF
Labor and such as are already in them should
be induced to leave the said order of the knights
of Labor.
Meitsch spoke in support of this resolu-
ton He claimed that the Knights of La
Dor had demoralizing influence upon the
German workingmen. He failed to see
any difference between the Knights of La
Dor and other Socialist and Prohibitionist
societies." He was sorry to see that many
Germans were at present members of an
order, the leaders of which had addressed
a petition to Congress against German i'm
migration, while Mr.. Powderly had openly
shown himself to be a Prohibitlonist and
enemy of the Germans. The entire order
of the Knights of Labor was governed by
Irishmen. The Germans ought to consider
1t a disgrace to be ruled by Irish ignoram-
uses. The remarks were received with ap-
plause.
Frederick Arends, of st. Louis, moved
to lay the resolution on the table, but was
voted down, all but two or three delegates
being against him, and the resolution was
referred to the Committee on Labor Mat
tiers.
DIR. Tappert submitted a resolution re-
quiring the societies in every city to meet
every six months for the purpose of dis
cussing social questions and other matters
of Importance. 1t was referred. Before
recess thirty-two new societies were ad-
mitted to the union.
AT the opening of the afternoon session
dispatch was read in reply to one sent last
week TO the Catholic convention of Ger
many, now in session at Trier, signed by
the chairman of the convention. and re-
minded the German American Catholics
that although the ocean interviewed their
brethren in Germany were bound to them
by one common faith and comradeship in
the battle OF the Lord. Three hearty
cheers were given for the Catholics of Ger
many.
An interesting question Of principle
was raised when report from society of
New Orleans was read which was written
in the English language. Objection was
made to it on that account, and DR.. Tappert
again came forward and moved that the
secretary be instructed to find out whether
or not the German language was employed
as the official medium by that society, and
if not that the secretary notify the society
that the Central Union receive no societies
but such as did employ the German Ian
guage exclusively. All this was to be done
in a spirit and tone of brotherly love- but it
man SAID, as it was question of principle,
and not an inch should be yielded. He
wanted to have the matter settled at once
but it was referred to the com lite on con-
Stitution.
AS fitting conclusion to ti.a days pro
ceedings cablegram was orG-.ad sent to
Pope Leo congratulating hila upon his
approaching jubilee and asking his bless
ing.
COlorow Or,.
OMAHA, Neb., Sept. g. neral Crook re- |
turned yesterday afterno, :. from the scene |
of the lite trouhle LAST NIGHT no cold |